Designing with Grids :: Ronda Palazzari

Hello everyone. It’s Ronda Palazzari and I am going to take you through one of the ways I love to begin a layout. Read further about it below!

My supplies include:

Snow Day Papers, Snow Day Layered Chipboard, Snow Day Brads, Snow Day Phrase Stickers, Vellum, Pencil & Ruler, Sewing Machine & Bling/Rhinestones

In my stash, I have a set of paper scraps that are already cut to the same size as traditional photos. When I start a layout, I will typically pull these out to decide what size photo to print.

I love using grids as a starting point on some of my layouts. This time I wanted to use a hand-created grid in the upper left corner and the bottom right corner of the layout.

I drew pencil lines 1 inch apart. First, 3 vertical lines in upper left, and then 5 in the lower right.

I then drew in some horizontal lines to complete the grid.

Now I am ready to stitch. These lines are great guidelines to help me keep my stitches somewhat straight.

After trimming the thread, I erase the guidelines. I'm now ready to add papers,embellishments, inks, paint, spray inks, or whatever else strikes my fancy.

I hope you found some ideas to try on your next layout! You can make the grid lines larger or smaller for a different look, start in the center or sew just around the edges - The ideas are endless!! Also, fill your grid in with snippets of pattern paper and fun lil' embellishments like I've done above. Don't be afraid to create "outside" the lines! Grids aren't always meant to be followed...thanks for joining me today! Lots of Love, Ronda!

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A quick couple additions in supplement of today's tutorial that we thought to post for you just prior to the eventful holiday weekend - the first is that of a beautiful "Fall Decor" layout from Lexi Bridges. We promised her that we'd share it with you before Autumn's departure, so here it is for you to partake in...

What we love most about Lexi's layout is the punched stitching she created along the right-hand side of it. We're guessing she punched her pattern paper's edge using a border punch and then followed it with stitching via her sewing machine. Isn't it impeccable?! The punched holes are perfectly aligned and work wonders to highlight the curvature and shape of the paper's edge. To complete the look, she's tucked velour ribbon beneath it - so very pretty!

The second item to present itself is that of an upcoming International Scrapbooking, Mixed Media and Digital Scrap event where our dear Ania Jo Alexander will be teaching an assortment of classes, including a non-traditional card making class with Crate's Restoration collection! Details about the class and it's scenic Paris location are available for viewing at the official event website, Paper & Company. Ania also has further info listed on her blog, which can be found here. It's been mentioned to us that one of the card classes is is sold out, though an open class still remains, so if interested in attending (for those of you close to event of course), check out the posted info! Good Luck Ania! :))